Sony Xperia 1 V vs Xperia Pro-I: The Ultimate Showdown

Sony consistently delivers unique smartphones catering to photography enthusiasts and power users. The Xperia 1 V represents their latest flagship, while the Pro-I offers a distinct, professional-focused approach. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which device deserves your attention.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 V emerges as the overall winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, brighter display, and improved battery life. However, the Pro-I's exceptional camera hardware and external monitor connectivity remain compelling for dedicated content creators.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 V Sony Xperia Pro-I
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
Launch
Announced2023, May 112021, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 28Available. Released 2021, December 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 71 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)166 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.54 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Built-in strap-hole
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 660
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 12GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, 12-bit RAW, HDR, eye tracking
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 125mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-5.2x continuous optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF12 MP, f/2.0-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 2.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS (315 PDAF points, 90% frame coverage) 12 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", PDAF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Native Sony Alpha camera supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Khaki Green, Platinum SilverFrosted Black
ModelsXQDQ62/B, XQ-DQ72, XQ-DQ54XQ-BE62, XQBE62-B, XQ-BE62-B, XQ-BE62/B, XQ-BE42, XQ-BE42-B, XQ-BE42/B, XQ-BE72, XQ-BE52
Price€ 684.00 / $ 1,409.99 / £ 519.99About 930 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h Endurance rating 87h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.4 LUFS (Very good) -28.6 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 1127931 (v9) GeekBench: 4916 (v6) GFXBench: 96fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 725839 (v9) GeekBench: 3540 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 V

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Brighter Display
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Modern Chipset
  • Improved Computational Photography

  • Higher Price
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

Sony Xperia Pro-I

  • 1-inch Camera Sensor
  • External Monitor Connectivity
  • Professional-Grade Camera Features
  • Robust Build Quality

  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 888)
  • Lower Brightness Display
  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 V boasts a significantly brighter display at 936 nits compared to the Pro-I's 644 nits. Both feature excellent color accuracy and a 120Hz refresh rate, but the 1 V's increased brightness provides better outdoor visibility. The contrast ratio is likely similar, leaning towards 'infinite' on both due to OLED technology.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer excellent camera capabilities, the Pro-I distinguishes itself with its 1-inch sensor, providing superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The 1 V benefits from computational photography enhancements powered by the newer chipset. Video recording capabilities are strong on both, but the Pro-I's external monitor connectivity gives it an edge for professional workflows.

Performance

The Xperia 1 V's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a clear performance leader over the Pro-I's Snapdragon 888. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the 1 V. The 1 V's newer CPU architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 V demonstrates significantly better battery endurance, with an active use score of 12:24h and an endurance rating of 115h, compared to the Pro-I's 87h. This translates to longer usage times between charges for the 1 V.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 V is ideal for users seeking a premium, all-around flagship experience with top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and solid battery life. The Xperia Pro-I is best suited for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize camera quality, external monitor connectivity, and a more robust, albeit older, hardware setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Pro-I still worth buying in 2024?
If you're a professional photographer or videographer who needs external monitor connectivity and prioritizes the 1-inch sensor, the Pro-I can still be valuable. However, the Xperia 1 V offers a more modern and well-rounded experience.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both offer excellent video recording, but the Pro-I's external monitor connectivity gives it an advantage for professional workflows. The 1 V benefits from the newer chipset's processing power for improved video stabilization and color grading.